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Former FBI head James Comey has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to US legislators and obstructing a legislative process.

The former director's lawyer submitted the answer acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday.

His attorney declared he would attempt to have the case terminated for various causes including that his defendant, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being singled out.

Mr Comey was indicted soon after Donald Trump pressured his chief prosecutor to take action against him.

Judicial Process

In court on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald informed the magistrate they intended to file various motions to throw out the case before a court case, arguing the prosecution was spiteful and that a government lawyer was wrongfully assigned to take over the legal matter.

Mr Comey's case was originally managed by a Virginia prosecutor, who stepped down under influence from Trump after his examination into a different political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - failed to file indictments.

Courtroom Atmosphere

The former director seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the legal venue on mid-week, chatting with his attorneys and making jokes. He was joined by his wife, his wife and offspring his daughter, a US lawyer who the previous administration recently fired.

Upon hearing to the judge recite his legal protections and the dual charges against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, James Comey was inquired if he understood the accusations.

"Yes your honour. Thank you," he stated to the court.

Background Context

The former director was the FBI Director from 2013-2017 and was fired about four months into Trump's first administration as commander-in-chief. At the moment, Mr Comey was leading an probe into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, the director caused a negative reaction from liberal politicians when he declared just immediately preceding the national vote that he was investigating presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Legal actions against the candidate were never brought, leading to disapproval from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors claim the former director gave untrue statements to US lawmakers during a legislative proceeding in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he provided false information to the upper house by saying he had not permitted someone at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to media organizations data about the agency probes.

Government lawyers also charge James Comey of "improperly attempting to affect, obstruct and delay" the panel by making false statements to it.

Individual Responses

In a video James Comey published to his social media after he was indicted, he said he was innocent and accused the former president of acting like a "autocrat".

"We have been aware for years that there are ramifications to challenging the former president," he stated. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."

"I am not guilty," he added. "Therefore proceed with a court case."

The accusations against Mr Comey surfaced after Donald Trump posted on social media calling for his chief prosecutor, Ms Bondi, take legal action against Mr Comey and others.